ARG Fall guide to ASUI elections
2014 THE VANDAL VOICE November, SINCE 1898
Cover illustration by Shane Wellner | Argonaut
2
Why vote?
The Argonaut
Fall 2014
ASUI President Nate Fisher encourages students to vote in upcoming election On Nov. 4, Election Day, just 36.4 percent More info of eligible Americans There are 10 candidates cast their ballots in the running for ASUI senate midterm election. This seats. View their profiles historically low number, a on pages 4-5 and vote 72-year low, has become online next week at almost commonplace in vote.uidaho.edu. American society. With such low voter this feedback in many difturnout, many can — and ferent, important capacido — raise questions of ties over the years. whether the decisions In my tenure with made on Election Day are ASUI, I have truly reflective of GUEST VOICE witnessed the senthe full electorate. ate give input on Unfortunately, matters including student governStudent Code of ment elections Conduct reviface the same situsions, dedicated ation and fate year student fee estabin and out, and Nate Fisher lishment process, the turnout for ASUI President Tobacco Task student elections Force proposals, is often worse. presidential search proIn a typical ASUI eleccess, university Parking tion, voter turnout ranges Committee meetings and between 15 to 25 percent, the dining service contract with no election in recent process, among others. memory surpassing 30 The student voice is percent. Few people a critical component to are making important institutional functionality decisions in local, state, and is something — in my national and student mind — that all tuitionelections, when everyone paying students should should have a voice. care about. While student elecSimply put, decisions tions are not necessarily the same scale as state and are made by those who show up. If you choose national elections, they certainly have significance not to exercise your privilege to vote, then you, too, and value to the student forfeit your ability to compopulation. ASUI senaplain about the decisions tors are the most direct that are made thereafter. link between students, Be sure to cast your vote student government and in the fall ASUI Senate the UI administration. election Nov. 17-19. They serve as an avenue and channel for Nate Fisher students to express input can be reached at and senators have relayed nfisher@uidaho.edu
Voting: What, where, when, why ASUI polls open Nov. 17-19 Cara Pantone Argonaut
Elections for seven seats in the ASUI Senate will take place next week and give students the opportunity to elect their peers to represent them for a two-semester term. Students can vote online at vote.uidaho.edu or in the Idaho Commons Food Court where there will be laptop stations for students to vote. Students who vote get candy and will be entered into a drawing for three grand prizes, including a Kindle Fire and two $25 VandalStore gift cards. ASUI Elections Coordinator James Morrell said student involvement in ASUI elections is the most important factor and students should come out to vote. “We just want students to know we would love to have them involved with voting,” he said. “We really appreciate them being involved with the school as well because the decisions that are made through ASUI affect them and we want them to have the best possible experience that they can.” Morrell said he hopes 1,100 students participate in the 2014 elections. He said ASUI has been able to get the word out about the candidates and election dates through advertising such as television screens in the Commons, flyers, t-
shirts and tables. Additionally, Morrell said candidates have reserved six tabling slots in the Idaho Commons to promote themselves and student participation in the election. Tanner Beymer, ASUI director of policy, said he thinks it is imperative for students to be involved in the voting process. Beymer said in most cases, the popular vote determines the outcome of the election. But, he said there is one instance in which the popular vote may not call the election — if one living group dominates the ballot. If the race is close, Beymer said there may be a need to impose the Districting Clause in the ASUI Rules and Regulations, which states that if a race is within 20 percent of a vote margin, two students from the Greek district, two students from the non-Greek district and three students “at-large” will be selected from the candidates. Beymer said ASUI has the ability to enact change and dialogue on campus, in the state legislature or at the State Board of Education level. He said ASUI takes that responsibility seriously and students should as well. “In my mind, it seems like you would want the most educated, most caring and most apt people in that position,” Beymer said. “If it were me —which it is, I am a voter
— I cannot understate the importance of that.” Over the last few weeks, 10 candidates attended open forums, campaigned among living groups and used social media to ask for votes from their peers. Eric Alvarez, a current ASUI senator, attended every open forum and said he is impressed with this year’s candidate pool. “From what I’ve seen, from what I’ve heard mentioned at the open forums, most of them are pretty strong candidates,” Alvarez said. “It’s a good, strong candidate pool, I like that most of them know the issues, most of them know what they’re talking about, and I know that any one of them, if they are elected, be on a bit of a learning curve, but most of them seem dedicated.” Alvarez said the candidates’ dedication speaks to their ability to be a sufficient representative of the student body. Brianna Larson, Keely Snow, Cruz Botello, Kesia Cisse, Duncan Brain, Rachael Miller, running mates Taylor Willey and Ethan Crawford, and running mates and current ASUI senators Michael Ryan and Zoe Ball are all running for a position. Voting for ASUI senators will take place Nov. 17, 18 and 19. Cara Pantone can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu
ASUI Spring Elections Guide
3
Launching Campaigns First ASUI open forum for senate candidates took place Nov. 4 George Wood Jr. Argonaut
Candidates in the ASUI Senate election answered questions posed by their peers in the Idaho Commons food court Nov. 4 during the first of four open forums of the fall election cycle. Candidates had two minutes to state their platform. Then, in a round table fashion, several questions were asked from a list of pre-meditated questions from election coordinators and inquiries from the audience. Current ASUI Sen. Michael Ryan is running for re-election and said he wants to better market SafeWalk, a program where students can request a security escort to feel safer, to University of Idaho students. He said he also wants to build
close relationships with a larger variety of students and student groups and increase campus morale among students. “We are one community, to boost that and have overall better campus morale, I want to make sure every student feels represented within the senate,” Ryan said. Ryan was followed by sophomore running mates Sarah Comer and Rachael Miller (Comer has since dropped out of the race). The pair said they wanted to empower students to more frequently voice their opinions through ASUI, increase student awareness of campus safety programs similar to SafeWalk and promote a larger student engagement in different extracurricular activities in and around UI. “My running mate and I are very passionate about student involvement, we would like to see an increase in participation in programs here on campus as
My running mate and I are very passionate about student involvement, we would like to see an increase in participation in programs here on campus as well as different clubs and organizations and Vandal sporting events. Rachael Miller, ASUI senate candidate
well as different clubs and organizations and Vandal sporting events,” Miller said. Junior Brianna Larson is a first-time candidate and had three talking points for her platform. Larson said she wants to improve New Student Orientation by implementing a feedback survey to find and advo-
cating for the use of VandalSync by students. She also said student safety is an area of emphasis for her. “I would like to eliminate intimate partner violence by coordinating with the Green Dot program and the Women’s Center to advocate for their services and bystander invention,” she said. Larson said she was interested in hosting ASUI open forums for multicultural and international students to increase their involvement and better utilize the KUOI radio station as a method of communication. Freshman Duncan Brain said if elected, he would focus on increasing the number of people who participate in Green Dot, as well as lobby for what people want by gauging student voice through the use of emailed student polls. He also said he wants to increase student involvement at UI through intramural sports.
“The best way to meet people is through intramurals, I’ve met a lot of really cool people through sports at UI,” Brain said. Brain said he wants to help students better adjust to new changes on campus such as the new weapons policy that permits concealed carry on campus. Freshman Keeley Snow said she would like to promote sustainability on campus and more effectively educate students about the different programs and resources UI Student Health has to offer. If elected, she said she also seeks to increase student involvement, especially within the UI residence halls. “I think if ASUI and the Residence Hall Association started coordinating some work to support and encourage student involvement, we could be even better at that,” Snow said. George Wood Jr. can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu
ON STANDS
DECEMBER 1 UI Student Media news magazine
ARG
Fall
2014 pg 4-5
ASUI SENATE CANDIDATES Michael Ryan
Keely Snow Major: Chemical engineering Academic Year: Freshman Living Group: Theophilus Tower Platform: I am incredibly excited for this opportunity to become involved on campus and represent the UI student body. If elected, I hope Snow to represent students’ concerns and ideas, as well as promote sustainability, student health and wellness and student involvement on campus. As a senator, I would promote recycling and energy conservation in residence halls and Greek houses. I would also like to work to install water bottle filling stations around campus and in residence halls to encourage students to use reusable water bottles instead of plastic bottles. I am also interested in working on mental health education projects. Educating students on mental health issues will allow students to know when they or their friends need help. Encouraging and rewarding student involvement is something I would like to expand. I believe collaborative work between ASUI and Resident Hall Association will allow for more effective work.
Zoe Ball Major: Art education Academic Year: Sophomore Living Group: Kappa Delta Platform: I am rerunning for the position of ASUI senator because I enjoy being involved on campus and I am passionate about making Ball changes to benefit the university. As current senators, my running mate Michael Ryan and I are working to increase campus morale and want to continue this project. I am working with Sen. Beasley to spotlight students that are graduating through the Vandal Graduate Journal. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to share their own individual voice and experience. This journal will be available to future Vandal generations as a source of advice and inspiration. I also plan to help Sen. Ricart with her idea of using sunlights to decrease the onset of winter-induced depression. The addition of these lights would help students remain positive during the winter season. I think it is important for student body to feel safe, comfortable and enthusiastic about their college experience.
Taylor Willey Major: Business marketing Academic Year: Sophomore Living Group: Phi Gamma Delta Platform: My platform is targeting transparency and the communications between the ASUI Senate and the UI student body. Willey
Major: Agricultural education Academic Year: Freshman Living Group: Phi Delta Theta Platform: As current senators, my running mate Zoe Ball and I have experience working on issues and projects to improve the campus. If reRyan elected, I will work to improve campus by continuing current projects like campus safety, effective representation for all groups of students and career success after graduation. It is key ASUI works toward representing all groups on campus. There is need for ASUI to work hard to contact and build relationships with students of all background and interests. I am currently and will continue to work toward accomplishing this goal by building relationships with groups so nobody feels underrepresented. It’s important to work on these issues because they affect the student body, and any way that we can improve the student experience here at the UI, we should. If re-elected, I promise to work toward a better and safer campus for current and future Vandals.
Duncan Brain Kesia Cisse
Cisse
Major: Food and nutrition Academic Year: Sophomore Living Group: Unknown Platform: I think I have a unique perspective that I could bring to ASUI. I want to work on the retention of under-represented minority students, give a larger voice to students through greater student participation and sustainability.
Rachael Miller
Brianna Larson
Major: Political science and public relations Academic Year: Sophomore Living Group: Alpha Phi Platform: As an ASUI senator I intend to promote campus safety, student voice and student involvement. Miller In relation to student involvement, I aim to promote student participation by ensuring students are aware of events, clubs, programs and other opportunities on campus through communication with living groups and other means. As a result, I hope to see more students contribute to an understanding of ideas and issues in which they should have voice. Regarding student voice, I would work to create a campus in which students have a clear understanding of how the university functions and what their active roll is in it. Students need the accessibility to communicate their concerns through ASUI senators and seek the change they wish to see. I aim to continue to fight sexual assault on campus, maintain effective emergency procedure protocol and enhance a limited risk community by promoting programs already in place.
Major: Sociology-criminology Academic Year: Junior Living Group: Wallace Residence Center Platform: I am a thoughtful listener who will strive to make every student’s voice heard. There are three issues at that I believe I can change for Larson the better. I would like to streamline and improve New Student Orientation by implementing a feedback survey after students’ first year on campus. I would also like to smooth the transition for transfer students, including organizing their social events and individual meetings with UI colleges. I will also promote use of VandalSync, including advocating for automatic enrollment in VandalSync. I would also like to see co-curricular transcripts. Co-curricular transcripts are official, university certified records of all extra-curricular activities, such as student clubs and volunteer hours, which can be used to supplement graduate school and job applications. I would like to coordinate with the Green Dot Program and Women’s Center to increase awareness of the program and work to eliminate intimate partner violence.
Ethan Crawford Major: Business and economics Academic Year: Freshman Living Group: Phi Gamma Delta Platform: I want to focus on power sustainability for the university and campus safety in regard to lighting the campus — also student Crawford voice and making sure students know they can talk to ASUI members. Our campus is dark and the steam plant only runs half of the campus. We should get more lights on campus that have solar panels on top of them so they can run themselves instead of having to set up more electric lines to power them. People can also feel safer about walking around on campus at night. Also, solar energy for the buildings is important so our campus can become more self-sufficient and not rely solely on electric and steam power. I would also like to make sure students know if they see issues or have problems on campus it can be brought to ASUI — almost like marketing ASUI to students and raising awareness ASUI’s presence.
Major: General studies, declaring political science in spring Academic Year: Freshman Living Group: Phi Gamma Delta Platform: I want to bring more student voice and safety to campus. Brain There is a proposed tobacco ban at UI and I don’t think the university should revoke students’ rights to use tobacco. Students pay to attend UI and should not have their rights taken from them. The University of Idaho is currently ranked in the 700s in terms of campus safety. If elected, I will work to make our campus safer. One of the main ideas for this is to put in place help phones around campus for distraught people — whether they be lost or in danger, they could use the phone for support. I will also seek to increase student voice by creating a better path for the students to know the issues on campus, through campus-wide email polls, for example. This would give ASUI a better feel for the majority of students and create more student voice.
Cruz Botello Major: Sociology Academic Year: Freshman Living Group: Phi Gamma Delta Platform: Budget: I want to know where every dollar of my tuition goes. I would try to make it a point to develop an online visual Botello that would show where our expenses go as a student body. I think that an easy-to-read breakdown would be very much appreciated. Enrollment/Diversity: Many do not realize that the University of Idaho is more affordable as an out-of-state college than many in-state schools are — for non-Idahoans. Along with the increase of students at UI, should come the increase of diversity in our community. Culture is extremely important because with exposure to more ways of life, comes a greater understanding of the real world. I will serve not only the average UI student, but people from every single background. Student Voice/Unity: If I got the chance to be in a senator position, I can promise that I can be your approachable “in” to ASUI.
The Argonaut
6
Fall
Low turnout at Bob’s Place ASUI Senate candidates address students at second open forum, two students in audience Cara Pantone Argonaut
Despite only two students attending, ASUI Senate candidates promoted their platforms at the second open forum of the fall ASUI elections Nov. 6 at Bob’s Place in Wallace Residence Center. Facilitated by ASUI Elections Coordinator Emily Stephens, the forum provided candidates an opportunity to reach out to the student body to try to garner support. Eight out of the ten candidates running for a seat attended the panel event to express and elaborate on their campaign platforms and answer questions. Candidates Duncan Brain, Rachael Miller, Cruz Botello, Keely Snow, Brianna Larson, Kesia Cisse, Zoe Ball, Taylor Willey and Ethan Crawford all were present to address the two attendees, as well as several current members of ASUI. Snow, a freshman studying chemical engineering, said she would focus on representing student voice if elected to senate. “My main focus would be representing the student voice,” Snow said. “As a senator I would really like to get the feedback from residence halls and oncampus students, off-campus students, Greek-life students and really work in the senate to make sure we are receiving all of that input.” Snow said along with ensuring students feel free to bring ideas and concerns to ASUI and collaborate with other organizations, she would also like to focus on mental health education and promote available mental health education resources to the students. Snow, who has already earned an associate’s degree, said her strong work ethic would help successfully foster these efforts. Along with Snow, multiple candidates referenced student voice throughout the second open forum, including Cisse. Cisse, a sophomore studying food and nutrition, said the representations of minority students, as well as the entire student body, should be a priority. She said student expenses and sustainability are agenda items of hers as well. Botello, a freshman studying sociol-
Jackson Flynn | Argonaut
ASUI Senate candidate Taylor Willey responded to questions from residence hall students Nov. 6 at Bob’s Place. Two students attended the open forum and candidates talked about their platforms and how they would represent the student body if elected. ogy, said he believes he would bring a unique perspective to ASUI. He said he would work to encourage diversity, break down dispersion of tuition and, like many other candidates, advocate for a larger student voice. Botello said he wants ASUI to be more approachable. “I want to make it a point to be personable as a senator, somebody that can be easily approached so that nobody does feel intimidated or hesitant to approach the senate if they have any issues at all,” he said. Botello said he recognizes ASUI already is dedicated to communicating with students, and he wants to assist those existing efforts. Raised by a single mother, Botello said he learned responsibility quickly by working through school. Current ASUI Sen. Ball is a sophomore studying art education and running for reelection. Ball said she would like to focus on small issues she thinks students face on a day-to-day basis. Ball said she would like to continue to increase campus moral through projects like graduate journals that positively
spotlight graduates, as well as working to combat winter depression by placing “happy lights” in the Idaho Commons. “I’m passionate and enjoy being a student voice,” she said. “I have the skills to hold myself accountable and get projects done and am well-rounded, so I am able to represent many different student voices in an unbiased way.” Willey, business marketing major and sophomore, and his running mate, Crawford, a freshman studying business and economics, said they are focused on expanding communication between ASUI and the student body. Additionally, Crawford’s platform includes improving power sustainability and increased lighting on campus to increase campus safety. Willey said he is interested in decreasing the division between students and connecting different student living groups and organizations. Freshman and general studies major Brain said he would like to work to promote campus safety and student voice. Brain’s platform includes introducing an online opinion poll for students to submit
opinions and concerns to ASUI, as well as ensuring there is access to phones throughout campus to elevate campus safety. Brain also said he is opposed to the tobacco ban proposed by the Tobacco Task Force. Concerned with another aspect of safety on campus, Larson, a junior studying sociology, said she would like to coordinate with the Green Dot Program and the Women’s Center to help eliminate violence within intimate relationships. Larson said improving New Student Orientation and promoting VandalSync would better connect students. Larson said her work ethic is grounded in being proactive in projects. “Before I come to a meeting, I actively seek out all available information and come ready with questions so that I can further my knowledge,” Larson said. Larson, a transfer student from a community college in Montana, said she could offer different perspectives. Cara Pantone can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu
ASUI Fall Elections Guide
A diverse focus Cara Pantone Argonaut
ASUI Senate candidates had a final opportunity to address students during an open forum held Nov. 11 in the Idaho Commons. The last open forum was held during a unity meeting between 15 multicultural student organizations to which the senate candidates were invited to speak. Of the 10 candidates running for senate positions for the spring semester, seven attended the final forum. The forum was well-attended by multicultural students, with more than 30 students in attendance. Candidates responded to initial questions centered on multicultural student involvement and creating a more integrated community of students on campus. “I feel like involving multicultural students is a significant issue, not necessarily in us getting multicultural students involved, but getting students not necessarily associated with
those things to be involved in those events,” said candidate Keely Snow during the panel. “I believe that really working to make sure international and multicultural students know about things on campus and feel very welcomed to come to those events and share their ideas and backgrounds is very important.” Candidates also received questions from students in the audience and were asked to respond to how they would specifically increase campus safety if elected. Running mates Ethan Crawford and Taylor Willey echoed other candidates’ belief that using and advertising existing safety programs would be helpful. Crawford, following a similar comment made by candidate Cruz Botello, said implementation of ‘“safety phones”’ on campus would be beneficial to the student body. These phones would provide students with the ability to get directions if they are lost or
contact the authorities. “That would be a huge thing to have implemented on campus to have more of them around,” Crawford said. “Another thing, like plenty of candidates have said, is advertising. Our students need to know what sort of programs and what sort of systems are out there to make sure that they are safe, and campus safety is something that I am very passionate about.” Increasing attendance at multicultural events was another concern voiced to the candidates. Candidate Rachael Miller answered this concern with a focus on communication and interconnectivity. Miller said visiting living groups and attending other people’s events may increase attendance at multicultural events. “If you intermingle with people at their events, then they should be able to turn around and support your events,” she said. “If they don’t, that’s their loss, because these are really
7
Final open forum focuses on multicultural affairs
Our students need to know what sort of programs and what sort of systems are out there to make sure that they are safe, and campus safety is something that I am very passionate about. Ethan Crawford
great events.” Several candidates said multicultural events, such as Africa Night, need better advertising, but the candidates received a rebuttal question of how they would increase visibility of ASUI and connect with off-campus students and groups. Current Sen. Michael Ryan and running mate Zoe Ball said they have had insight and firsthand experience with how ASUI
is already making efforts to increase visibility. “We’re talking about advertising, some of the other candidates said ASUI isn’t pushing advertising, but we do advertise your events,” Ryan said. Ryan said he and Ball are interested in simply identifying other alternatives of advertising to make it more successful, as well as working with other offcampus living groups. Ryan and Ball also addressed the final question of the forum concerning the Sodexo contract renewal and the concern of providing students with high quality food at a reasonable price. Ryan said ASUI already has an exploration committee working with Sodexo, which Ryan said is currently working to provide other options to students as the company’s contract renewal nears. Cara Pantone can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu
Questions from the audience Third ASUI senate election open forum hosted Nov. 10 George Wood Jr. Argonaut
From how candidates view the University of Idaho in terms of sustainability to how they would mitigate a negative spotlight cast on the university if elected — the ASUI Senate candidates were bombarded with questions in the Idaho Commons Monday at the third open forum. Candidates Zoe Ball, Duncan Brain, Kesia Cisse and Brianna Larson sat along a U-shaped table to answer the questions fired at them by the audience. Before answering questions, candi-
dates began the forum by taking two minutes each to state their main objectives and were then allotted one minute each to answer questions. Ball, a current ASUI senator, said she and her running mate Michael Ryan have been working to increase campus morale during the course of their term and hope to continue this endeavor if reelected. She said they planned to set up mood lights around campus to combat winter depression. Additionally, she said she would like to help create a graduate recognition program celebrating Vandal graduates to promote the student voice and increase enrollment. Brain said one of his goals for improving UI would be to increase dia-
logue between the student body and ASUI senators by establishing a polling system via email to be sent out to students. The other goal was instilling a greater sense of campus security by funding the creation of “safety phones” around campus. Cisse said increasing student engagement is her main objective if elected. She said she would want to achieve this by implementing regular student feedback polls, hosting more open forums between the ASUI Senate and student body and increasing opportunities for more student involvement. She also said she would strive to create more inclusive programs for students, mentioning that some of the programs currently offered
tend to be exclusive. Larson said she seeks to automatically enroll students in VandalSync to increase student engagement as well as work to eliminate intimate partner violence at UI by collaborating with the Green Dot program. She also plans to work with the student body to improve New Student Orientation. “One way to do this would be to implement a feedback survey after a student’s first year on campus to know which programs during orientation were helpful and which need improvement,” Larson said. George Wood Jr. can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu
8
The Argonaut
Fall 2014